Imagine a salad that's not just healthy, but absolutely irresistible - a perfect blend of crisp spinach, tender broccoli, and the ultimate flavor bomb: crispy bacon! This Spinach Broccoli Salad is about to become your new obsession, transforming boring greens into a mouthwatering dish that will have everyone begging for seconds. Whether you're a health enthusiast or a bacon lover, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between nutritious and indulgent, making it a game-changer for your meal rotation.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon by cooking it in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove bacon from pan and place on paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Steam the broccoli florets in a steamer basket or microwave for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve the vibrant color.
- Wash and chop the fresh spinach leaves, removing any tough stems. Place the chopped spinach in a large salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create the dressing. Ensure the ingredients are well combined and emulsified.
- Add the steamed broccoli florets to the spinach in the salad bowl.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the spinach and broccoli.
- Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately while the broccoli is still warm and the bacon is crisp.
Tips
- Bacon Perfection: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to ensure maximum crispiness without burning. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Broccoli Brilliance: Steam broccoli just until bright green and tender-crisp. Overcooking will make it mushy and dull the vibrant color.
- Dressing Hack: Whisk the vinaigrette thoroughly to create a smooth emulsion that coats every ingredient evenly.
- Temperature Trick: Serve the salad while the broccoli is still warm and the bacon is crisp for the best texture contrast.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and bacon crunchy.
- Customization Option: Add toasted nuts or crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor and texture.
- Storage Advice: If you have leftovers, store dressing separately to prevent the spinach from wilting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 249kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 27mg
